Are you human?

It’s an odd question, but one you might come across, as I did recently.  The question was positioned above that now familiar collection of numbers and letters you are required to enter and submit before signing up for a newsletter subscription, posting a product review, or commenting in a forum. 

Officially called a challenge response test, this tiny quiz serves an important purpose.  Spam, which started with email, has expanded to social media sites.  Spammers, sometimes called internet trolls, use automated software to find unprotected sites and then post inappropriate or irrelevant content.  At best, these spam messages are disruptive or irritating.  At worst they are offensive or include malicious links. 

Preventing these types of spam posts from appearing on your website can be accomplished in several ways. 

 First, consider requiring user registration on your site’s forums, wikis, or comment sections.   Be aware that this might suppress engagement, since some people might not be willing to provide even a limited amount of personal information to you.  If, you aren’t willing to require user registration, add a CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) form as the final step on any user-generated content form on your website.  Free tools are available online, including these downloads on the Carnegie Mellon University site.

Word to the wise, adding this final step may create a barrier to completion as well.  Especially if your visitors are unsure about why they are being asked to complete this – something more welcoming (or less off-putting) than “Are you a human?”  All of us have been victims of unwanted spam and would happily participate in any effort to stop it’s spread.  That’s a very human response, no?